This section covers tips and other information that doesn't seem belong in the other areas of this site. At least I am to slow or lazy to figure out where to put them so I put it here.
Polarized lenses can interfere with reading liquid crystal (LCD) displays on instrument panels and GPS displays. LCD displays work by altering the polarization of the light as it passes through the liquid crystal. Readability problems caused by polarized sunglasses are more of a problem with dot matrix displays (like on GPS displays) than with segmented displays that are often used on instrument panel of many newer motorcycles. This isn't a huge thing -- you can still see the displays with polarized glasses. You just may have to move your head around a bit to see the display clearly.
I also use military aviator frames and have my prescription installed. These frames have straight earpieces and are designed to be worn with a helmet. They are MUCH easier to get on and off with a full face helmet. Unfortunately, these frames are hard to find if you're not in a military aviation unit. My optometrist was able to order these frames from his frame catalog. It did take him a while to find some.Helmet Tips
helmets can get pretty a nasty aroma after a two week tour in hot weather. If the helmet liner is not removable you can get rid of most of the nasty odors by stuffing the inside with crumpled newspaper when you're not using it. If it really stinks it may take several weeks to get rid of the odor but it will work eventually - put in fresh newspaper often. At home I always have newspaper in the helmet when it's sitting on the shelf.
Helmet hair is what your hair looks like after you've been wearing your helmet for a while. You know the look
-- little clumps of hair sticking out in random directions. I sort of like to look, it makes you look a little
dorky and a little less intimidating, but some people don't care for it. The only way to get rid of helmet hair
is to wash your hair. However, helmet hair can be prevented. There are two methods I know of. You can either cut
your hair so short that it isn't a problem or wear a helmet liner. A helmet liner is thin piece of cloth that covers
your head -- a sort of skull cap. You put on the liner before you put on the helmet. It prevents the hair clumping
but it's not a perfect solution. Your hair will still be mashed down but at least it's uniformly mashed
down. I know of two manufacturers of helmet liners; Texas Headskins and Silks.
They both usually have ads in the back of the major American motorcycle magazines. Helmet liners do make it harder
to put on your glasses but with the proper technique it's not that much more hassle.
- use plastic bags over your boots and the Totes will easily slide on and off - otherwise they're a bitch to get
on and off
